Obituary of Billy R. Melton

Billy Ray 'Sonny' Melton, US Air Force Ret., age 72, of Lynhill Road, Boone, died Sunday morning, October 18, 2009 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was born September 23, 1937 in Robeson County, NC to William Samuel and Stella Bryant Melton. Mr. Melton was a member of Willowdale Baptist Church. Sonny was a computer specialist while serving in the U.S. Air Force, a computer programmer with Region D Council of Governments and was a mail clerk at the Blowing Rock Post Office. Mr. Melton is survived by; his wife, Sarah Kathryn 'Kitty' Melton; one son, Terry Ray Melton and wife, Kelly, of Valle Crucis; two daughters, Teresa Severn and husband, David, of O'Fallon, Illinois and Melinda Reeves and husband, Ben, of Boone; five grandchildren, Jaclyn Hampton and husband Craig, of Springfield, IL, Alicia Marie, Renee Michelle, Curtis Michael and David Joseph 'D.J.' Glass, and one great-great grandson, Gabriel Thomas Hampton, all of O'Fallon, Illinois. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Louise Henson and Helen Lindahl and one brother, W. J. Melton. Funeral services for Billy Ray 'Sonny' Melton will be conducted Thursday afternoon, October 22, at 2 o'clock at Willowdale Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Eugene Braswell and Rev. Kenneth Bryant. The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 12 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family suggests memorials to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, Post Office Box 2914, Boone, or to High Country Health Care Systems/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, NC 28607 or online at highcountryhospice.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Melton family.